Gaming Machine and Gaming Method Thereof

ABSTRACT

A gaming environment in which an award is provided based on the marks shown on the cards distributed to the player and the dealer respectively is described. Especially a gaming environment the betted amount betted by the player is pooled when the player plays to a draw with the dealer, the pooled amount is paid out to the player in later game when a predetermined condition is met is described.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based upon and claims a priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-246307 filed on Sep. 12, 2006, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present invention relates to a card gaming machine and a card game playing method in which an award is provided based on the marks shown on the cards distributed to the player and the dealer respectively, especially relates to a card gaming machine and a card game playing method in which the betted amount is pooled if the player plays to a draw with the dealer, and when a predetermined condition is realized, the pooled amount is paid out to the player.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, card gaming machines or card gaming tables for playing card games such as Pai Gow Poker or Draw Poker or Blackjack are arranged in a casino or a game arcade. Here, in above card games, the game is processed by using the cards with marks (numbers and suits). The game result (winning of the player, winning of the dealer, draw between the player and the dealer) is judged based on the hand of the cards distributed to the player and the hand of the cards distributed to the dealer, and content of the awards provided to the player is determined based on above game result.

Here, the blackjack is a game in which 2 cards are firstly distributed to a dealer and plural players respectively, later, numbers of the cards may be increased by request. And the person whose total number of the cards is closer to “21” is the winner, and if the total number of the cards is the same between the player and the dealer, then the dealer and the player plays to a draw with each other.

SUMMARY

In view of the foregoing, one or more aspects of the present invention relate to a gaming machine, a gaming method thereof, a game system, a computer readable medium having computer-executable instructions or the like that the betted amount betted by the player is pooled when the player plays to a draw with the dealer, the pooled amount is paid out to the player in later game when a predetermined condition is realized, the chance for the player to receive higher awards is increased, and the anticipation of the player to the game is strengthened.

One or more of the above aspects of the invention is more fully described in the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for purpose of illustration only and not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the objects, advantages and principles of the invention.

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a betting image displayed on the liquid crystal display of the player terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an outline view of a card gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an outline view of a player terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the card gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the player terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a betting image displayed on the liquid crystal display of the player terminal according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing a main image displayed on the front display according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a game processing program in the card gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a game processing program in the card gaming machine according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an example of a table game in which the present invention is applied.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The various aspects summarized previously may be embodied in various forms. The following description shows by way of illustration of various combinations and configurations in which the aspects may be practiced. It is understood that the described aspects and/or embodiments are merely examples, and that other aspects and/or embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It is noted that various connections are set forth between items in the following description. It is noted that these connections in general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect.

A gaming machine according to one or more aspects of the invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings based on an embodiment embodying one or more aspects of the invention as a slot machine, a server, a game system. However, it is appreciated that one or more aspects of the present invention may be embodied in distributable (via CD and the like) or downloadable software games, console games, and the like. Aspects of the invention are described by way of hardware elements. However, it is appreciated that these elements may also be software modules that are executable in a computer. The software modules may be stored on a computer readable medium, including but not limited to a USB drive, CD, DVD, computer-readable memory, tape, diskette, floppy disk, and the like. For instance, aspects of the invention may be embodied in a JAVA-based application or the like that runs in a processor or processors. Further, the terms “CPU” and “processor” are inclusive by nature, including at least one of hardware, software, or firmware. These terms may include a portion of a processing unit in a computer (for instance, in multiple core processing units), multiple cores, a functional processor (as running virtually on at least one of processor or server, which may be local or remote). Further, in network-based gaming systems, the processor may include only a local processor, only a remote server, or a combination of a local processor and a remote server.

It is contemplated that one or more aspects of the invention may be implemented as computer executable instructions on a computer readable medium such as a non-volatile memory, a magnetic or optical disc. Further, one or more aspects of the invention may be implemented with a carrier signal in the form of, for instance, an audio-frequency, radio-frequency, or optical carrier wave.

Hereinafter, concerning with a card gaming machine according to the present invention, the first to the third embodiments embodying the present invention is described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, the card gaming machine according to the first to the third embodiments, is one type of the gaming machine with plural player terminals, in which plural players may participate. The game executed is the blackjack, one kind of the card game. Here, the blackjack is a kind of game, in which each player bets predetermined tips, and if the total number of the distributed cards to the player is closer to “21” than the total number of the distributed cards to the dealer, such player becomes a winner, and an award corresponding to the betted amount is paid out to the player.

And for the card gaming machine according to the present invention, especially when the total number of the distributed cards is the same between the player and the dealer, which means that the player plays to a draw with the dealer, the betted amount which is betted by the player is pooled to the pot. And when a predetermined condition (for example, the hand of the cards distributed to the player becomes the blackjack only including spade) is realized, the pooled amount which is pooled in the pot until now is provided to the player as an award.

FIRST EMBODIMENT

First, an outline construction of the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment is described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment.

The card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment is constructed from a table deck 2 and a panel portion 3. The table deck 2 is a place where the players can be seated and play a game, and the panel portion 3, which is arranged behind the table deck 2, displays the animation images of the dealer.

Hereinafter, the table deck 2 is described first. The table deck 2 has plural (there are 5 in FIG. 2) player terminals 4 called satellites which are arranged in an alary shape. Here, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one of the player terminals 4 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the player terminal 4 is constructed from a liquid crystal display 10, a touch panel 11, operating buttons 12, a coin insertion slot 13, a bill insertion portion 14, and a coin payout opening 15. The liquid crystal display 10 is used to display the betting image (described below, see FIG. 1 and FIG. 6) or the game results. The touch panel 11, which is arranged in front of the liquid crystal display 10, is used to select the betting subjects or to select the buttons which are displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 when the betted amount is determined. The operating button 12 is a button to execute the operations such as payout operation. The coin insertion slot 13 is a slot to insert coins or medals. The bill insertion portion 14 is an insertion portion for inserting bills. And the coin payout opening 15 is an opening to pay out the coins or medals corresponding to the credits stored when the payout operation is executed.

And as shown in FIG. 2, the panel portion 3 is constructed from a front display 21, speakers 22, and LEDs (light emitting diode) 23. The front display 21 is used to display the image of the dealer and the content of the card distributed. The dealer is a person who distributes cards or receives tips in the card game. The speakers 22, which are allocated above the front display 21, may output music and effect voice according to the process of the game. And LEDs 23 are lighted when various stages are shown.

A pooled amount display portion 24 is formed at an upper portion of the front display 21. Here, for the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment, as described later, when the player and dealer makes draw with each other, the betted amount which the player bets for the game is pooled in the pot. The pooled amount is paid out on the block when the hand (combination) of the player's card is the blackjack only including spade. And the pooled amount display portion 24 is a portion to display the pooled amount until now.

Here, the cards used in the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment, which are same as the trump cards generally used, are displayed with the “marks” consist of “suits” and “numbers” (see FIG. 1).

“Suits” mean the marks of the trump cards. There are 4 kinds of “suits” including spade, heart, diamond and club.

And “numbers” indicate the numbers and the English Characters in trump cards. There are 13 kinds of numbers and English Characters, which are A (Ace, equivalent to 1), 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J (Jack, equivalent to 11), Q (Queen, equivalent to 12), K (King, equivalent to 13).

And “marks” indicate the types of cards which are determined by combinations of “suits” and “numbers”, for an instance, “Heart A”, “Spade K”.

Next, the playing method of the card gaming machine 1 according to above construction will be explained. The player who plays the game may be seated before the player terminal 4. The player may bet a desired betting amount with a betting screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 10. The images of the cards which are distributed to the player and the dealer respectively are displayed on the front display 21 and each liquid crystal display 10. And thereinafter, according to the types of the cards distributed, the screen image of either of the player or the dealer as a winner or the screen image of draw may be displayed. Furthermore, for each of the player terminals 4, 1.5 times of the betted amount (credits) may be paid out to the player as award when the player wins. On the other hand, when the player loses, no award is paid out. And when the dealer and the player makes a draw, the player is not awarded, however, the betted amount which the player betted for the game is pooled in the pot. If the hand of the player's card is the blackjack only including spade, the pooled amount which is pooled in the pot until now is paid out to the player.

Next, a construction of a control system in the card gaming machine 1 is described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment is constructed from a main control unit 31, plural player terminals 4 which are connected to the main control unit 31, and a variety of the peripheral devices.

The main control unit 31 mainly consists of a microcomputer 45, which is basically constructed from a CPU 41, a RAM 42, a ROM 43, and a bus 44 for transferring data within the CPU 41, the RAM 42, the ROM 43. In the ROM 43, various programs for executing the processes necessary to control the card gaming machine 1 and data tables are stored. The RAM 42 is a memory to temporarily memorize various data calculated by the CPU 41. And in the RAM 42, a pooled amount memory area 42A for cumulatively memorizing the pooled amount which is pooled in the pot is arranged.

And to the CPU 41, an image processing circuit 47 is connected through an I/O interface 46. And a sound circuit 48, a LED drive circuit 49 and a communication interface 50 are also connected to the CPU 41.

Furthermore, the main control unit 31 is a unit to judge whether the game start condition is satisfied after receiving the betting operation information by the player such as betted amount from each of the player terminals 4. If the game starts, predetermined numbers of cards from the 53 trump cards are distributed to the player and the dealer respectively according to the lottery result (on the screen, cards are distributed to the player and the dealer respectively). As a result, win or loss (one of winning of the player, winning of the dealer and draw) is judged according to the hands of the cards distributed, and such game result is transferred to each of the player terminals 4. Thereafter, each of the player terminals 4 may increase or decrease the credits stored according to the game result received from the main control unit 31.

The main control unit 31 also outputs image signals displayed on the front display 21, and executes drive control of the speakers 22 and the LEDs 23.

Next, a construction of a control system in the player terminal 4 is described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a block diagram schematically showing a control system of the player terminal 4 according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 5, the player terminal 4 according to the first embodiment mainly consists of a microcomputer 55, which basically is constructed from a CPU 51, a RAM 52, a ROM 53, and a bus 54 for transferring data among the CPU 51, the RAM 52, the ROM 53 and the bus 54. In the ROM 53, various programs for executing the processes necessary to control the player terminal 4 and data tables are stored. The RAM 52 is a memory to temporarily memorize the credits currently stored in the player terminal 4, the betting subjects on which the player made the bet, and the betted amount (credits) which are betted on the betting subject, and various data calculated by the CPU 51. And in the RAM 52, a betted amount memory area 52A for memorizing the betted amount which is betted by the player is arranged.

And to the CPU 51, a liquid crystal panel drive circuit 57, a touch panel drive circuit 58, a hopper drive circuit 59, a payout completion signal circuit 60 and a communication interface 61 are connected through an I/O interface 56. Furthermore, the liquid crystal display 10 and the liquid crystal panel drive circuit 57, the touch panel 11 and the touch panel drive circuit 58, the hopper 62 and the hopper drive circuit 59, the coin detection portion 63 and the payout completion signal circuit 60, are connected, respectively.

The CPU 51 calculates the betted amount (credits) which are betted by the player according to the output operation information from touch panel 11, and memorizes the betted amount in the betted amount memory area 52A of the RAM 52, and also transmits the betted amount to the main control unit 31. Additionally, the CPU 51 increases or decreases the credits stored based on the game result transmitted by the main control unit 31.

The CPU 51 may also output the signals of image displayed on the front display 21, and may control the coin payout from the coin payout opening 15 based on the signal of the hopper 62 and the coin detection portion 63.

Next, the betting image 70 displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 of the player terminal 4, when the blackjack game is played on the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment, is described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 6.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 6 are explanatory views of the betting image 70 displayed on the liquid crystal display 10 of the player terminal 4. Here, on the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the player makes bet of predetermined credits by touching the betting image 70 and the touch panel 11. And the operation for requesting additional card or increasing the betted amount may also be executed.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, the betting image 70 is constructed from a player card display area 71, a tip display area 73, a pooled amount display area 74, and an information display area which displays various operation buttons and information of the player. The player card display area 71 may display the card image 87 of the card distributed to the player. The tip display area 73 may display the tip image 72 which is betted, and the pooled amount display area 74 may display the pooled amount which is pooled in the pot.

Here, the player card display area 71 is an area to display the card image 87 of the card distributed to the player. The card image 87, which is displayed on the player card display area 71, is an image of the cards which are distributed to the player who is seated in front of player terminal 4 and plays games.

And the tip display area 73 may display the image 72 of the tips which are equal to the betted amount betted by the player (for example, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 6, tips of 50 credits are betted). The player may select the betted amount by pressing the betting button 75, and may decide the betting amount by touching the tip display area 73, and the decided betting amount is transmitted to the main control unit 31.

The pooled amount display area 74 is an area to display the pooled amount which is pooled in the pot. Here, in the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment, if the player makes a draw with the dealer, all of the betted amount is pooled in the pot (for example, in FIG. 1, 50 credits may be pooled). The pooled amount may also be a part of the betted amount (for example, 50%). If a part of the betted amount is pooled, it is desirable that the remained betted amount which is not pooled is paid out to the player.

On the right lower portion of the tip display area 73, plural betting buttons 75 are arranged (in the first embodiment, there are three kinds of the betting buttons, which are “1 credit”, “10 credits”, “100 credits”). The player may select the betted amount to bet in the game by touching the betting buttons 75.

Above the betting button 75, a REPEAT betting button 76 and an UNDO betting button 77 are formed. The player may bet the same betted amount as betted in the previous game by pressing the REPEAT betting button 76. And the player may cancel the betting operation which is once executed by pressing the UNDO betting button 77.

On the left lower portion of the tip display area 73, the operation buttons, which are used when the player bargains with the dealer, are displayed. Concretely, a STAND button 78, a HIT button 79, a SURRENDER button 80, an INSURANCE button 81, a SPLIT button 82 and a Double Down button 83 are arranged as operation buttons.

Here, the STAND button 78 is a button to be pressed when the player wants to have a bout with the dealer without requesting additional cards. The HIT button 79 is a button to be pressed when the player requests one more card in addition to the current distributed cards. And the HIT button 79 may be used until the total of the number on the distributed cards is over “21”.

The SURRENDER button 80 is a button to be pressed when the player wants to withdraw from the current game. And if the SURRENDER button 80 is selected, half of the betted amount is collected by the dealer, and remained half of the betted amount is returned to the player. The INSURANCE button 81 is a button to be pressed by the player for insurance when the cards distributed to the dealer becomes the blackjack.

The SPLIT button 82 is a button to be pressed when the player receives 2 cards with the same number (a pair), and wants to split those 2 cards into 2 separate hands. If the SPLIT button 82 is selected, the player is able to have a bout with the dealer by the hands with two units of the cards. The Double Down button 83 is a button to be pressed when the player wants to double the betted amount in the game.

And a HELP button 84 is arranged below the STAND button 78. The HELP button is a button to be pressed when the player wants to display the operation methods of the card gaming machine 1 on the liquid crystal display 10. On the right side of the HELP button 84, a message area 85 which shows the message supporting the game process is arranged.

On the lower portion of the betting image 70, a betted amount display area 90, an acquisition amount display area 91, a possessed credits display area 92, a lower betting amount limit display area 93 and an upper betting amount limit display area 94 are arranged. The betted amount display area 90 shows the betted amount the player betted for current game, the acquisition amount display area 91 shows the acquisition amount which the player acquired as awards in the game until now, the possessed credits display area 92 shows the credits which the player possessed currently, the lower betting amount limit display area 93 shows the lower limit which the player may possibly bet, and the upper betting amount limit display area 94 shows the upper limit which the player may possibly bet.

And a game result display area 95, which shows the result of the current game between the players and the dealer, is arranged on the left side of the player card display area 71. Here, in the blackjack game, the person whose total number of his cards is closer to “21” without exceeding “21” is the winner, if the total number for the player and the dealer is the same, then the player and the dealer plays to a draw with each other. If the player plays to a draw with the dealer, the word of “draw” is shown on the game result display area 95. If the player wins the game, the words of “YOU WON” are shown on the game result display area 95. And if the player loses the game, the words of “YOU LOST” are shown on the game result display area 95.

Next, a main screen 101 which is displayed on the front display 21, when the blackjack game is played on the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment, is described with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the main screen 101 which is displayed on the front display 21. Here, in order to raise the realistic sensation of the game in the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment, a dealer's image 102, in which animations such as card distribution along with the game are executed, is displayed.

Almost on the center portion of the main screen 101, a card image 103 is displayed to show the cards distributed to the dealer. And card images 104 to 108 and game result images 110 to 114 are displayed on the lower portion of the main screen 101. The card images 104 to 108 show the distributed cards to each player (maximum is 5) who is playing a game on each player terminal 4. And the game result images 110 to 114 show the game results between each player and the dealer. Therefore, with reference to the main screen 101, the player may recognize the types of the cards distributed to the dealer and to the other players, and also may know the game results of the other players as well as his/her own.

Next, in the card gaming machine 1 with above construction, a game processing program executed by the CPU 41 of the main control unit 31, and a game processing program at the player terminal side executed by the CPU 51 of the player terminal 4 will be explained with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. The programs flowcharted in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, are memorized in the RAM 42 or the ROM 43 of the main control unit 31, or in the RAM 52 or the ROM 53 of the player terminal 4, and are executed by the CPU 41 or the CPU 51.

First, the game processing program executed by the main control unit 31 will be explained with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. In step (abbreviated as “S” hereinafter) 1, the CPU 41 executes a lottery process to determine the cards which are distributed to the player and the dealer. Concretely, supposed that there are N cards (in the blackjack game, N=53) used in the game, each of the cards is associated with a number of 1 to N (in a distribution order). Cards are distributed to the dealer and the player in accordance with this distribution order.

Hereinafter, in S2, the CPU 41 transmits the start instruction of the betting period, during which the betting operation by the player is accepted, to each player terminal 4.

Next, in S3, the CPU 41 receives the betting information transmitted from each player terminal 4. Here, the betting information includes the information relating to the betted amount (credits) which the player makes a bet. Also the received betting information for each player terminal 4 is temporarily stored in the RAM 42.

In S4, the CPU 41 transmits the information (for example, “Heart 7” or “Spade A”) regarding to the first card and the second card which are distributed to the players to each player terminal 4, based on the lottery result of the lottery process for distributing cards in S1. And in S5, the image of the dealer, who is distributing 2 cards to the player and the dealer, is displayed on the front display 21 as the main screen 101. Regarding to the second card distributed to the dealer, the type of the mark is not shown when the card is distributed.

In S6, the CPU 41 receives a request of a new card transmitted from the player terminal. And the information regarding to the third card or more is transmitted to the player terminal 4 in which more cards are requested (S7). Furthermore, in S8, the image of the dealer, who is distributing the new card to the player who requests a new card, is displayed on the front display 21 as the main screen 101.

Thereafter, in S9, the CPU 41 receives the card established information transmitted from each player terminal 4. The card established information is the information transmitted to the main control unit 31, when the player selects to have a bout with the dealer using current distributed cards by pressing the STAND button 78 on the player terminal 4.

In S10, the CPU 41 judges the game result by comparing the hand of cards held by the dealer and the hand of the cards held by the player. Concretely, the one whose total number of his cards is closer to “21” without exceeding “21” is judged as the winner, if the total number for the player and the dealer is the same, a draw judge between the player and the dealer is made.

In S11, the CPU 41 transmits the judged game result in preceding S10 to each of the player terminal 4. And in S12, the CPU 41 displays the game result images 110 to 114 showing the game results of each player terminal 4 on the main screen 101 of the front display 21.

In S13, it is determined whether there is a player terminal 4 which is judged to end in a draw in the preceding S10. If it is determined that there is a player terminal 4 which is judged to end in a draw (S13: YES), the betted amount betted at the player terminal 4 which is judged to end in a draw is readout from the RAM 42, and the betted amount is pooled into the pooled amount memory area 42A of the RAM 42 (S14). The pooled amount is paid out when the player wins the game by the blackjack only including spade in the succeeding game.

On the other hand, if it is determined that there is not a player terminal 4 which is judged to end in a draw (S13: NO), the game processing program is terminated.

Next, the game processing program executed by the player terminal 4 will be explained with reference to the FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. In S101, the CPU 51 receives the start instruction of the betting period from the main control unit 31.

In S102, the CPU 51 displays the betting image 70 (see FIG. 6) on the liquid crystal display 10, and specifies the betted amount (credits) which is betted based on the operation information from the touch panel 11.

Next, in S103, the CPU 51 determines whether the betting period is terminated or not. Concretely, it is determined whether the predefined time (for example, 20 seconds) has passed from the reception of the betting operation in the preceding S102.

If it is determined that the betting period has not passed (S103: NO), the CPU 51 continues the reception of the betting operation. On the contrary, if it is determined that the betting period has passed (S103: YES), procedure shifts to S104.

In S104, the CPU 51 transmits the betting information to the main control unit 31. Here, the betting information includes the information regarding to the betted amount (credits) which the player has betted.

In S105, the CPU 51 receives the card information (mark types) regarding to the first card and the second card which are distributed to the players seated at each player terminal 4 from the main control unit 31. And in S106, the CPU 51 displays the content of the cards distributed on the betting image 70 based on the card information received in preceding S105.

Thereafter, in S107, the CPU 51 starts the reception of the operation from various manual operation buttons 78 to 81 which are displayed on the betting image 70. In S108, it is determined whether the HIT button 79 is selected or not. If it is determined that the HIT button 79 is selected (S108: YES), the CPU 51 requests distribution of a new card from the main control unit 31 (S109). Then, in S110, the CPU 51 receives the card information of the card newly distributed from the main control unit 31, and displays the card newly distributed on the betting image 70 (S111).

On the other hand, if it is determined that the HIT button 79 is not selected (S108: NO), procedure shifts to S112.

In S112, it is determined whether the STAND button 78 is selected or not. If it is determined that the STAND button 78 is selected (S112: YES), the CPU 51 transmits the information that the player decides to have a bout with dealer based on currently displayed cards to the main control unit 31 (S113). On the other hand, if it is determined that the STAND button 78 is not selected (S112: NO), procedure returns to S108. And if other buttons 80 to 84 are selected, process corresponding to the selected button is executed.

Next, in S114, the CPU 51 receives the game result which is transmitted from the main control unit 31. And in S115, the CPU 51 displays the game result on the liquid crystal display 10 based on the game result transmitted in preceding S114. Concretely, on the game result display area 95 of the betting image 70, the word “DRAW” is displayed when the player plays to a draw with the dealer. The words “YOU WON” are displayed when the player wins the game. The words “YOU LOST” are displayed when the player loses the game.

In S116, the CPU 51 determines whether the pooled amount which is pooled in the pooled amount memory area 42A satisfies the predetermined payout condition. Here, in the card gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment, when the hand of the cards distributed to the player is the blackjack only including spade, the pooled amount pooled until now is paid out as an award.

If there are plural players whose cards satisfy the predetermined payout condition, in other words, the hands of the cards distributed to plural players become the blackjack only including spade, the pooled amount is divided evenly by the numbers of the players (for example, if there are two players, each player may receive 50% of the total pooled amount), and is paid out to the players evenly.

If it is determined that the predetermined payout condition is satisfied (S116: YES), the pooled amount memorized in the pooled amount memory area 42A is paid out to the player (S117). After the pooled amount is paid out, the pooled amount is updated to an initial value (for example, 100). Also the initial value may be set to 0.

On the contrary, if it is determined that the predetermined payout condition is not satisfied (S116: NO), a normal payout is executed. Concretely, the 1.5 times of the betted amount are paid out to the player as credits when the player wins the game (S118).

As explained above, in the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment and the playing method of the card game, the game result is judged by comparing the cards distributed to the dealer with the cards distributed to the player (S10), especially in the case of draw, the betted amount which is betted by the player is pooled (S14), and the hand of the cards distributed to the player is the blackjack only including spade, the pooled amount pooled until now is paid out to the player (S117). The game makes it possible for the player to receive higher awards, and it may raise the anticipation of the player to the game.

SECOND EMBODIMENT

Next, the card gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be explained. In the below explanation, the same symbols as those used in the card gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment with reference to the above FIGS. 1 to 9, show the same structure or the considerable portion of the structure as those used in the card gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment.

The outline construction of the card gaming machine according to the second embodiment is almost same as that of the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment. Each control process is almost same as that of the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment.

In the case of the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the predetermined payout condition for paying out the pooled amount which is pooled in the pooled amount memory area 42A in preceding S116, is that the hand of the cards distributed to the player is the blackjack only including spade. However, in the case of the card gaming machine according to the second embodiment, the predetermined payout condition for paying out the pooled amount which is pooled in the pooled amount memory area 42A, is that the player wins the game after the pooled amount in the pooled amount memory area 42A reaches a predetermined value. The predetermined payout condition is different between the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, in the card gaming machine of the second embodiment, the game processing program executed by the CPU 41 of the main control unit 31 and the game processing program executed by the CPU 51 of the player terminal 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

Since the processes in S1 to S14, S101 to S115 are same as those of the first embodiment, explanation of these steps is omitted here.

In S116, the CPU 51 determines whether the pooled amount which is pooled in the pooled amount memory area 42A satisfies the predetermined payout condition. Here, in the card gaming machine of the second embodiment, when the pooled amount in the pooled amount memory area 42A reaches a predetermined value (for example, 1000 credits), and the player wins the subsequent game against the dealer, the pooled amount pooled until now is paid out as an award.

And if there are plural players whose cards satisfy the predetermined payout condition, in other words, under a condition that the pooled amount reaches a predetermined value, plural players win the subsequent game against the dealer, the pooled amount is divided to the players by a predetermined proportion, and is paid out to the players. Concretely, the player, whose total number of the cards is closer to “21”, may get more proportion of the pooled amount. For example, there are two players who satisfy above condition with a total of “20” and “18” respectively, 60% of the payout is allocated to the player with a total of “20”, and 40% of the payout is allocated to the player with a total of “18”.

If it is determined that the predetermined payout condition for the pooled amount is satisfied (S116: YES), the pooled amount memorized in the pooled amount memory area 42A is paid out to the player (S117). After the pooled amount is paid out, the pooled amount is updated to an initial value (for example, 100).

On the contrary, if it is determined that the predetermined payout condition is not satisfied (S116: NO), a normal payout is executed. Concretely, the 1.5 times of the betted amount is paid out to the player as credits when the player wins the game (S118).

As explained above, in the card gaming machine according to the second embodiment and the playing method of the card game, the game result is judged by comparing the cards distributed to the dealer with the cards distributed to the player (S10), especially in the case of draw, the betted amount which is betted by the player is pooled (S14), if the player wins the subsequent game against the dealer after the pooled amount in the pooled amount memory area 42A reaches a predetermined value, the pooled amount pooled until now is paid out. The game makes it possible for the player to receive higher awards, and it may raise the anticipation of the player to the game.

THIRD EMBODIMENT

Next, the card gaming machine according to the third embodiment will be explained. In the below explanation, the same symbols as those used in the card gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment with reference to the above FIGS. 1 to 9, show the same structure or the considerable portion of the structure as those used in the card gaming machine 1 of the first embodiment.

The outline construction of the card gaming machine according to the third embodiment is almost same as that of the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment. Each control process is almost same as that of the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment.

In the case of the card gaming machine 1 according to the first embodiment, the predetermined payout condition for paying out the pooled amount which is pooled in the pooled amount memory area 42A in preceding S116, is that the hand of the cards distributed to the player becomes the blackjack only including spade. However, in the case of the card gaming machine according to the third embodiment, the predetermined payout condition for paying out the pooled amount which is pooled in the pooled amount memory area 42A, is that the player wins a specific game decided by the lottery after the pooled amount in the pooled amount memory area 42A reaches a predetermined value. In other words, the predetermined payout condition is different between the first embodiment and the second embodiment.

Hereinafter, in the card gaming machine of the third embodiment, the game processing program executed by the CPU 41 of the main control unit 31 and the game processing program executed by the CPU 51 of the player terminal 4 is described FIGS. 8 and 9.

Since the processes in S1 to S14, S101 to S115 are same as those of the first embodiment, explanation of these steps is omitted here.

In S116, the CPU 51 determines whether the pooled amount which is pooled in the pooled amount memory area 42A satisfies the predetermined payout condition. Here, in the card gaming machine of the third embodiment, after the pooled amount in the pooled amount memory area 42A reaches a predetermined value (for example, 1000 credits), the lottery to determine a payout game of the pooled amount is executed. Concretely, it is determined by the lottery that the pooled amount is paid out in which game subsequently conducted to this game. Also after the pooled amount reaches a predetermined value, the lottery may also be held in each game to decide whether payout of the pooled amount is executed or not.

While the specific game decided by the lottery for paying out the pooled amount is executed, and only if the player wins the game against the dealer, the pooled amount pooled until now is paid out as an award.

And if there are plural players satisfy the predetermined payout condition at the same time, in other words, plural players win against the dealer in the game that the pooled amount is paid out, the pooled amount is divided to the players by a predetermined proportion, and is paid out to the players. Concretely, the player, whose total number of the cards is closer to “21”, may get more proportion on the pooled amount. For example, there are two players who satisfy above condition with a total of “20” and “18” respectively, 60% of the payout is allocated to the player with a total of “20”, and 40% of the payout is allocated to the player with a total of “18”.

If it is determined that the predetermined payout condition for the pooled amount is satisfied (S116: YES), the pooled amount memorized in the pooled amount memory area 42A is paid out to the player (S117). After the pooled amount is paid out, the pooled amount is updated to an initial value (for example, 100).

On the contrary, if it is determined that the predetermined payout condition is not satisfied (S116: NO), a normal payout is executed. Concretely, the 1.5 times of the betted amount is paid out to the player as credits when the player wins the game (S118).

As explained above, in the card gaming machine according to the third embodiment and the playing method of the card game, the game result is judged by comparing the cards distributed to the dealer with the cards distributed to the player (S10), especially in the case of draw, the betted amount which is betted by the player is pooled (S14), if the player wins the specific bonus game determined by the lottery against the dealer after the pooled amount reaches a predetermined value, the pooled amount pooled until now is paid out. The game makes it possible for the player to receive higher awards, and it may raise the anticipation of the player to the game.

Here, the card gaming machine is not limited to three kinds of the above embodiments.

For example, in the first embodiment, although the payout subject for the pooled amount is determined to the player who wins the game against the dealer by the blackjack only including spade, the payout subject for the pooled amount may be determined to the player who wins the game against the dealer by the blackjack of other suits or by other predetermined hands.

And the payout condition for the pooled amount in the pooled amount memory area 42A to the player may also be changed to the condition that the player wins the game against the dealer after the number of the game played reaches a predetermined number. Also the payout condition for the pooled amount may be changed to the condition that the player wins the game against the dealer after the payout percentage is below a predetermined percentage.

In the second and the third embodiments, if there are plural players whose cards satisfy the payout condition, the pooled amount is distributed based on the hands of the player's cards, the pooled amount may also be distributed based on the proportion of the betted amount. Concretely, it is preferable that the player who has more betted amount may receive a bigger proportion.

The playing method of the card game according to this invention, may also be applied to the blackjack (so-called table game) played between the dealer and the player (not shown in the figure) on the gaming table 201 as shown in FIG. 10.

In the table game shown in FIG. 10, the dealer 202 distributes the cards to the player and the dealer respectively on the game table 201. The player may bet by putting his/her tips on a predetermined place of the game table 201.

If the game ends in draw, the dealer 202 pools the betted amount by collecting the tips which the player betted to a predetermined place of the game table 201 (pot).

If the player who plays the game satisfies the predetermined condition, it is possible for the dealer to pay out the pooled amount by giving the player the tips collected at the predetermined place.

The card gaming machine or the card game playing method according to this invention may also be applied to the gaming machine or the card gaming method in which so-called Pai Gow Poker or Draw Poker is played. And the rule for the draw case according to this invention may also be applied to the draw case of the other existing or new game rule.

Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. 

1. A card gaming machine comprising: a display device configured to display a plurality of cards; a bet button; a memory, a processor programmed to: (a) determine a game result based on a hand of the cards displayed on the display device corresponding to a player and a hand of the cards displayed on the display device corresponding to a dealer; (b) pool a part or all of an amount betted by the bet button in the memory when the game result is determined as draw; and (c) pay out the amount pooled in the memory when a predetermined payout condition is satisfied.
 2. The card gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined payout condition is satisfied when the hand of the cards displayed corresponding to the player becomes a predetermined hand.
 3. The card gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied when the player wins against the dealer in a card game conducted after the amount pooled in the memory reaches a predetermined amount.
 4. The card gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the processor conducts a lottery to determine a card game in which the amount pooled in the memory is paid out when reaching a predetermined amount, and wherein the predetermined payout condition is satisfied when the player wins against the dealer in the card game determined by the lottery.
 5. The card gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein when plural players simultaneously win against the dealer in a card game, the processor divides the amount pooled in the memory corresponding to a predetermined proportion and pays out a divided amount to each of the players.
 6. The card gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined proportion is determined based on the hand of the cards corresponding to each of the players.
 7. The card gaming machine according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined proportion is determined based on the amount betted by each of the players through the bet button.
 8. A card gaming method comprising steps of: determining a game result based on a hand of cards corresponding to a player and a hand of the cards corresponding to a dealer; pooling a part or all of an amount betted by the player when the game result is determined as draw; and paying out the amount pooled when a predetermined payout condition is satisfied.
 9. The card gaming method according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined payout condition is satisfied when the hand of the cards corresponding to the player becomes a predetermined hand.
 10. The card gaming method according to claim 8, wherein the predetermined condition is satisfied when the player wins against the dealer in a card game conducted after the amount pooled reaches a predetermined amount.
 11. The card gaming method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of: conducting a lottery to determine a card game in which the amount pooled is paid out when reaching a predetermined amount; wherein the predetermined payout condition is satisfied when the player wins against the dealer in the card game determined by the lottery.
 12. The card gaming method according to claim 8, further comprising a step of: dividing the amount pooled corresponding to a predetermined proportion and paying out a divided amount to each of plural players when the players simultaneously win against the dealer in a card game.
 13. The card gaming method according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined proportion is determined based on the hand of the cards corresponding to each of the players.
 14. The card gaming method according to claim 12, wherein the predetermined proportion is determined based on the amount betted by each of the players. 